Background: Patients discharged from an intensive care unit (ICU) often experience painful ICU memories during recovery. Distorted memories are particularly associated with post ICU mental health disorders. Our study aims were to investigate patents’ distorted memory of ICU and related factors.

Methods: Twenty-one patients enrolled in this study. The distorted memories were assessed by the ICU memory tool.

Results: Distorted memories associated with ICU experiences occurred in 62% of patients. The distorted memories were related to sedation times in ICU and bio-psycho-social vulnerabilities before admission to the hospital.

Conclusions: Future studies regarding ICU delirium, distorted memories and patient complexity are necessary.